Kneeling bench



Sept. 8, 1936. E. F. FROST KNEELING BENCH Filed'Feb. 12, 1955 w 0 m y 2L f 2 l m fav M a. 3, G, Q Il?? m. l., m

- ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 8, i936 .lKNEELING BENCH Elmer F. Frost, Chicago, lill.,assigner to Frost Rubber Works, Chicago, Ill., a partnership consistingof 1F. S. Frost and IF. M. Netzel Application February 12, 1935, SerialNo. 6,207

I Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in f benches and similar devices.

My invention relates more particularly to kneeling benches of the typeordinarilyfound in Catholic, Episcopalian and other churches.

Most of the kneeling benches found in the `places I have mentioned areordinary. pine or other board benches.

After long and intensive use the tops of these lo boards become worn andunattractive in appearance. They also accumulate dust and dirt whichgradually becomes imbedded in the grain of the Wood and when men inwhite ilannels or women in light dresses kneel in worship upon thesebenches their clothes are invariably soiled and dirtied, even though thebenches are subject to frequent cleaning and dusting.

Another result of the use of a wooden board that has a rough surface isto cause damage to womens dresses, silk stockings, and other wearingapparel, thus making it both unpleasant and unprotable to kneel uponbenches of this type.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved kneelingbench of the character described, that is highly improved in appearanceand also much more comfortable in use than the benches of the prior art.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneelingbench having a resilient upper surface.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneelingbench having a resilient upper surface and a decorative coveringthereon.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneelingbench having a decorative and attractively appearing covering thereonand also being provided with cushioning means on the upper surfacethereof. Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from thefollowing description wherein reference is had to the accompanying sheetof drawing upon which,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my improved kneeling bench;

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view'showing the manner in which thedecorative covering is placed thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the .manner in which thesponge rubber and decorative covering are applied to the bench; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View illustrating the manner in which the spongerubber cushion is mounted upon the board.

The kneeling bench which I have chosen to illustrate my invention may begenerally similar in appearance to the benches now employed throughoutthe churches of the land. Accordingly, I provide a bench Ill ofindeterminate length provided with supports I2 at regular intervals asdesired. A brace member I4 may also be provided or omitted as desired.The ordinary kneeling bench is complete when it is provided with the topor platform I6 and the supports I2. However, in providing the form of myinvention illustrated, I place a cushion or layer I8 of sponge 10 rubberor similar material upon the platform I6. The layer I8 may be the samesize as the platform I6, and be connected thereto throughout its lengthby the application of adhesive 20 such as rubber cement or similarmaterial 'which will ef- 15 fectively seal the layer I8 to the uppersurface 22 of the platform I6.

After the resilient layer I 8 has been securely fastened to the platformI6, I provide a flexible decorative covering 24 adapted to enclose the20 upper wall of the platform and the sidewalls 26 and 28 thereof, saiddecorative covering terminating in a portion 30 underlying the lowerside of platform I6. At this point to provide a decorative trim and toassist in securely fastening 25 the decorative covering in place, Iprovide a gimp trim strip 32. Suitable round headed tacks 34 are thendriven into platform I6 effectively fastening the covering 2li over theentire platform.

As thus constructed, a highly improved and 30 much more comfortablekneeling bench has been provided. The cushion I8 which has been providedis soft enough to yield comfortably to the pressure of the knee and theweight of the person kneeling in worship. After the rubber cushion 35has been fitted to the length and breadth of the bench, it is heldrigidly in place by any suitable adhesive which holds the sponge rubberfirmly to the wood, thus" eliminating the use of tacks. The decorativecovering may be comparatively heavy 40 and capable of long use and isnot easily torn or removed because of the fact that it is fastenedunderneath the Wooden top. It will, of course, be understood that thesedecorative covers may come in any suitable or desirable style or colorto 45 meet the requirements of different churches or to comply withindividual taste.

While I have illustrated and described a specic embodiment of theinvention, it will, of course, be understood that changes andmodifications may be made in the particular details shown and I do notWish to limit myself in any particular. Rather, what I desire to secureand protect by Letters Patent of the United States is: 55

A kneeling bench of the class described comprising a. rigidrectangularly shaped, elongated wooden base member, a similarly shapedpiece of sponge rubber adhesively secured to the top the bottom of saidbase member, and a decora- 5 surface thereof, and a flexible decorativecovertive binder strip over said covering. '5

ing member, said covering memberextending ELMER F. FROST.

over the upper surface of said sponge rubber membenthe side surfaces ofboth said sponge rubber and said base member, and a, portion of

